COMMUNITY NEWS

~ A Weekly Listing of Mission Opportunities ~

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April 26, 2009

TODAY AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

Flowers given:
* Ruby Larson, in honor of Stan Senness’ 80th birthday
* Ernie and Jeanne Lindstrom, in honor of the confirmands

Bulletin donated by:
* Duane and Emilie Femright, in honor of the 9th birthday of their grandson, Brandon Sjostrand

Sun Current Ad donated by:
* Larry and DeeDee Edlund, in honor of the 5th birthday of their granddaughter, Anna Edlund

ADULT EDUCATION in the PARISH HALL, 9:15am ~ A presentation on Homelessness, led by Julie Manworren, Executive Director of Simpson Shelter

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Notes from Sunday, April 19 ~ 310 worshipped. Offering (Plate and Simply Giving) was $7791. Thank you for your faithful stewardship of your financial resources.

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THIS WEEK (APRIL 27-MAY 3) AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY TRAINING ~ A training session for those who weren't able to come to the initial training will be Tues day, April 28, at 6:30pm. For more information call Linda Lund or Donna Price.

Bemidji State Alumni Choir Concert ~ Saturday, May 2, at 7:00pm in the House of Prayer Sanctuary Please join us for a concert by the Bemidji State Alumni Choir.

Do you have a submission for the Community News? Call 612-866-8471 x207 or email your entry by Monday to the office.

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NEXT WEEK (Starting APRIL 27) AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.

Reminder ~ If your House of Prayer group would like to reserve a room for a meeting or activity, please fill out a blue Building Use Form (Blue Sheet.) They are available in the office or online. Thank you.

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MINISTRY TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS AT HOUSE OF PRAYER

Support Ministry Team

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Outreach Ministry Team

Update from WIC ~ We are running low on the following supplies: diapers (sizes 1-5), crayons, coloring books, and travel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. We also accept cash donations for these items. No clothes, please. Thank you for your support of this program!

Martin Luther Manor Auxiliary Annual Meeting ~ Members and others associated with Martin Luther Manor are invited to the Annual Meeting on May 14 at 10 am. Get more information or RSVP by contacting Helen Anderson.

Homebound Ministry ~ We are seeking volunteers for House of Prayer's Homebound Ministry. If you are interested in this ministry, please sign up at the Information Desk or call Linda Lund or Donna Price.
Opportunities include:
1) Making monthly personal visits to people who are confined to their homes or apartments, as well as those who live in longterm care and assisted living facilities, and bringing them Communion.
2) Making phone calls to people who are temporarily confined to their homes or apartments because of illness, injury etc.
3) Being on the phone or email prayer chain.

Loaves and Fishes~ House of Prayer served over 150 hungry and appreciative guests at Hope Church on April 7 as part of our Loaves & Fishes outreach effort. Many hands made the job easier. Thank you to the many HoP volunteers from members of the Outrreach Ministry Team and the guests who attended and enjoyed this free service. Each meal costs about $1.60. Costs are covered by your generour contributions to the Hope Fund. Thank you, House of Prayer members!

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Worship Ministry Team

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Evangelism Ministry Team

On May 31 we will be welcoming new members to House of Prayer. We are looking for persons or families who would like to be a "New Member Sponsor.&qout; Sponsors help new members find a meaningful way to share their gifts and talents. They also play a very important role in the assimilating of new members into the congregation.
A. Sponsors are the familiar face in "a sea of unknown people."
B. They are someone to call with a question or concern. They are one of the first links into the congregation - and a very important one.
If this sounds like a fun way for you to share your gifts....please contact DeeDee Edlund.

Interested in becoming a member of House of Prayer? New member classes coming soon! Contact DeeDee Edlund or one of the pastors.

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Adult Ministries

Book Discussion Group ~ will meet on May 7 at 7 pm in the Fireside Conference Room to discuss The Giver by Lois Lowry. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday Morning Adult Education (9:15-10:15) Sessions ~
April 26 - Homelessness, led by Julie Manworren, Executive Drriector of Simpson Shelter
May 3 - Green Tips for spring and summer, led by the Green Team
May 10 - Surprise!
May 17- Domestic Abuse, led by a representative from Cornerstotne

Wednesday Evening Bible Study Schedule ~ Click here for information

Are you thinking about purchasing a new Bible? ~ Augsburg Fortress is pleased to announce the publication of the new Lutheran Study Bible. This Bible features the NRSV translation as well as notes written by Lutheran pastors and theologians. Readers are invited to experience the message of the Bible using solid background materials and unique Lutheran insights.
The Adult Education team is providing an opportunithy to purchase this Bible at a discount price. Hardcover price is $34.99 and paperback is $24.99. If enough people show interest, the reduced prices will be $24.50 and $18.75. Order forms are available at the information desk. A copy of the new Bible can be found there for your examination.

Small Group Ministry Team Consider joining a small group this year! The Ministries Opportunity Board is located under the Small Group sign in the Narthex. Contact information is located on each card; feel free to take one!

Lectionary Bible Study is held on Thursdays from 9:30 -11:30 AM. All ages are welcome to this weekly study which meets in the Fireside Conference Room. Contact Pastors Anne or Chuck for more information.

"Bring Your Own Coffee Cup or Water Mug to Church" Initiative This will help save some styrofoam from going into the landfill and will also save our congregation money. What an easy way to leave your green footprint here at HoP. Don't forget to bring your mug next Sunday (and for the folowing Sundays.)

Come and see a presentation by the Land Stewardship Project on Sunday, May 3 at 9:15am in the Parish Hall. ~ Their mission is to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities. Don't miss this opportunity! Also, stop by the Green Team Table in the Narthex area that day to learn tips on green gardening/rain barrels, house cleaning, lawn care, and buying local foods.
Weekly Tip: Keeping a covered drinking water container in the fridge will save you from running the tap until the water is cold enough to drink.

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Youth and Family Ministry Team

Friday, May 1st is VBS Decorating Night AND CLICK Movie Night! ~ It's time to start making some decorations for our Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School kick-off celebration on May 17th. Anyone, of any artistic ability, is welcome to join us on May 1 to trace, paint, build, and think creatively! Decorating starts at 5:30pm, but come anytime.
At the same time, the CLICK kids are invited to come to a movie night, complete with snacks and a wonderfully funny movie. Bring your friends! 6-8 pm.

May 17th is Sunday School Closing and VBS Kick-off! ~ We are starting our fund raising for our VBS program. Like last year, it only takes $40 to send one child to a fun-filled week of VBS. Look for more information to come!

Youth Group: Feed My Starving Children ~ We will be going to FMSC on Saturday, May 9th.
There are two locations we are serving. We will be serving the Eagan location from 9- 11 am and the Brooklyn Park location from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. There are 20 spots open for both locations. Sign up sheets will be on the door to Laura's office. All are welcome!

Luther Park Scholarship Winners ~ Congratulations to the following HOP youth who won the drawing for a $200 scholarship for Luther Park Camp this summer!
Julia J. – 4th Grade
Rachel K. – 4th Grade
Kyle S. – 11th Grade
Sydney T. – 1st Grade
Mitchell T. – 5th Grade
Caity W. – 4th Grade
The scholarships were provided by a generous HoP member interested in helping to send kids to camp. Four of the six kids have not participated in summer camp before. The scholarships will help the returning kids but also encourage several to try camp for the first time. Kyle is a LP veteran and has plans for a double-week of camp this summer plus a week of Leadership Training.
There are still a few scholarships available for camp this summer. Please see Kristin Tranby if your child or grandchild is interested.

Campers and Counselors Wanted at Luther Park Bible Camp, Danbury, WI ~ Jesus would like Bible camp because he did most of his ministry outside church walls. He met the woman at the well, the paralyzed man by the pool, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus spent time by the sea, in the wilderness, and in the garden. Bible camp complements the work congregations do in preparing young people to love and serve God. It is one of the few places where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to thousands of people under the age of 18.

Who do you know who could benefit from time at Luther Park? Your Sunday school class? Your confirmation group? Your son? Your daughter? Your grandchild? Your niece? Your nephew? Personally invite a young person to come to Bible camp this summer. You could make all the difference in the world to them!

You can now register for summer camp or make a donation on-line. Just visit our summer camp page on our web site. You can also print out the registration form and fax the completed form to 715-656-3013, or mail it to Luther Park, 30376 Lakes Drive, Danbury, WI 54830. If you have questions, feel free to call Joel Legred, Executive Director, at 612-987-6628. God bless you.

MISSION TRIP STOCK ~ Buy your mission trip stock today! Youth will be selling stock tickets to support the mission trip to San Francisco after each service today. Each stock ticket is $20. Buy one or as many as you would like. See a youth today!

Music School and God Squad return to their 6:30 pm Wednesday evening schedule. Join us for Simple Suppers from 5:30-6:30. Bring your family for a meal. Fruit and good things to drink are served with each meal. Cost $3/person or $10/family.

GOD SQUAD Rent-A-Youth ~ Have a task that needs extra hands? Some spring cleaning to be done? Just fill out a Rent-A-Youth request form and we'll do it for you! Fill out the form available at the information desk, place in the basket, and Laura will contact you about your request. All it costs you is a free-will donation!

Free Babysitting Class will be held May 2 for House of Prayer Youth from 9 am to 3 pm in the Sunday School rooms. RSVP by April 19 to Kristin Tranby or Carrie Brookins. Please bring a notebook, pen, and doll or stuffed animal to practice diapering. Youth that participate in this class will be required to donate four hours back to the HoP nursery or HoP Sunday School.

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Heritage Team News

May we borrow your confirmation picture? The Heritage Team has at least one copy of all confirmation pictures with the following exceptions: 1962, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2007. (Check the blue bulletin board in the office for a list of confirmands from those years.) Please consider loaning us pictures if you have them; we will scan, print and preserve them. You may drop them in the Heritage Team mailbox in the church office; mark the picture with your name, any identities you know, and whether or not you would like it returned. Thanks to those who have already loaned or donated their pictures.

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Life Together

Social Seniors to attend Les Mis ~ The Social Seniors are attending the Holy Angels' production of "Les Miserables" on Friday, May 8 at 7:30pm. Holy Angels will reserve an area for us to sit together. The cost is $5 for seniors and $10 for adults. Please sign up at the Information Desk so we know how much space to reserve at Holy Angels. You can pick up your ticket at Holy Angels and tell them you are with House of Prayer. If you have any questions, contact Laura Baldwin.

Luther Park Bike-a-Thon - June 6-7 ~ Come join the fun!!! A group of HOP members will participate in the 11th Annual Luther Park Bike-A-Thon on June 6-7 to raise money to support Christian camping ministries at Luther Park Bible Camp.
The riders will bike 120 miles from Minneapolis to Luther Park Camp in Danbury, WI. After biking 70 miles on Saturday, June 6, the group will stop overnight at a hotel in Luck, WI and finish the last 50 miles to Luther Park on Sunday, June 7.
Camp Staff, weekend retreaters, family and friends will welcome them to camp with cheers of appreciation!

Funeral Coordinator Needed ~ After many years of dedicated service, Karen Frosig is retiring from her role as Funeral Lunch Coordinator. If you are interested in this volunteer position which includes working with the families, the pastors, and the Funeral Luncheon Committee, please talk with Pastors Anne or Chuck or with Karen Frosig through the church office

Do you wish it was easier to hear callers clearly, to hear the phone ring, to dial or hold the phone, or to have your voice understood on the telephone? You may be eligible to receive the telephone equipment you need free of charge from the State of Minnesota's Telephone Equipment Distribution Program. You are already paying for this service though a telephone surcharge on your phone bill. For more information call: 1-800-657-3663 (TTY callers 1-888-206-6555) or visit the website at www.tedprogam.org.

Simple Suppers are available each Wednesday evening in the Parish Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. $3 per person or $10 per family. A great way to feed everyone before Wednesday night activities!

Fellowship Opportunity If you are looking to meet more people at HoP and develop deeper relationships, we have the answer for you! Fellowship Groups are people who gather on a monthly basis for social and/or service project events. All are welcome! No special talents required, just a desire to connect with others. There are groups of all ages, so please feel free to contact Jim and Heidi Thomas to find out how to get connected.

HoP wants to support and pray for our military personnel and their families. If you have any changes or additions you would like to make to our military board, please leave the information in the military box in the church office or call Debbie Wessman to keep our board current. Thank you to all who are serving our country in the military.

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BEYOND HOUSE OF PRAYER

Community Garage Sale~ United Methodist Church of Peace, 6345 Xeerxes Ave. S., is holding their annjual garage sale April 30-May 2. Thursday and Friday from 9-5 and Sat. from 9-1.

All marriages need tending and care to nurture growth in their relationship because, if marriages don't grow, they will wither. So "feed and fertilize" your marriage at a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend. It's time away with your spouse focusing only on each other. Four presenting couples, including a Lutheran clergy couple, give a series of presentations followed by questions you discuss in the privacy of your hotel room. There is no counseling and no group sharing. No one tries to change who you are. You'll spend two nights in a comfortable hotel and enjoy five delicious meals from Friday at 7:00pm to Sunday at 5:00pm.
The next Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends in Minnesota are October 16-18 in Duluth; and November 20-22 in Brooklyn Center. Please register a month in advance.
For more information, contact Dick & Judy Dehnel at 952-432-3105, Pete & Phyllis McMahon at 763-561-1575 or visit this site.